Two Michigan Craft Beer Leaders Unite in Innovative Brewing Partnership
DOUGLAS, Mich. – (May 19, 2026) – Saugatuck Brewing Company (SBC) and Grand Rapids-based Vivant Brewery & Spirits are teaming up in what could prove to be a game-changer in the craft beer industry. As the industry continues to face challenges, two long-standing craft beer pillars in West Michigan are doing what Michigan breweries do best: helping each other.
In the fall of 2025, Brewery Vivant began utilizing the brewing operations at SBC’s facility in Douglas to help produce the beer it needs in order to meet wholesale demand. The Douglas facility serves as a shared brewery for Brewery Vivant, which is renting the space to brew its core beers. This partnership, known as an Alternating Proprietorship, enables both companies to maintain full creative and operational control over their respective brands and recipes while sharing a single production facility.
Scott Graham, Executive Director of the Michigan Brewers Guild, complimented the partnership, saying, “This is a smart, practical approach that allows two breweries to operate more efficiently and mutually benefit from their core strengths. Cooperation has long been a unique aspect of the brewing industry, and this is a great example of how breweries can work together to make both operations stronger and more sustainable.”
By shifting a significant amount of its brewing operations to SBC’s larger facility in Douglas, Brewery Vivant can produce more beer without the need for costly facility expansions and upkeep. Meanwhile, SBC optimizes the use of its existing infrastructure, maximizing its brewing capacity. Plus, shared resources translate into significant cost savings for both breweries.
“This partnership represents a significant step forward for both organizations and our employees, as well as for the broader craft beer community in West Michigan,” said Keith Henry, CEO of Saugatuck Brewing Company. “We look forward to the opportunities this collaboration will create to further strengthen and support independent craft breweries well into the future.”
As the craft beer industry grapples with economic pressures, changing consumer preferences, and supply chain disruptions, this collaboration represents a proactive approach to sustainability and growth. Both organizations see this as a precedent for how independent breweries can work together to navigate industry challenges while preserving their individuality. One of the defining characteristics of Michigan’s craft beer community is its strong culture of mutual support and collective growth.
Both companies also continue to drive innovation in the marketplace. This month, SBC is set to release a ready-to-drink canned cocktail, “Howdy Days,” while Brewery Vivant plans to launch new offerings this summer, including its Beer City Light lager, which will debut at the Fred Meijer Gardens concert series in May.
“Most industries do not share knowledge and resources like the brewing industry does,” said Jason Spaulding, Owner and Founder of Brewery Vivant. “The camaraderie and respect we have for each other helps us find innovative ways to band together. We are leading the way by showing how arrangements like this will ensure a bright future for this whole industry, which has become so important to the State of Michigan and its economy.”
###
About Saugatuck Brewing Company: Saugatuck Brewing Company, established in 2005, is an independently owned craft brewery situated next to Saugatuck along the shores of Lake Michigan. With a commitment to quality and innovation, the brewery takes pride in crafting unique and flavorful beers that capture both tradition and the spirit of the region. Saugatuck Brewing Company’s footprint covers 13 states and seven foreign countries, with plans for continued growth. Follow their journey online or on Facebook or Instagram.
About Brewery Vivant: Brewery Vivant & Spirits is a one-of-a-kind destination where history, sustainability, and craftsmanship come together. Founded in 2010 by Jason and Kris Spaulding and housed in a refurbished historic funeral home in the East Hills neighborhood of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Brewery Vivant creates exceptional European-inspired beers, craft spirits, and expertly curated cocktails alongside a from-scratch menu. As the world’s first LEED-certified microbrewery, Brewery Vivant is dedicated to environmental responsibility, using locally sourced ingredients and energy-efficient brewing practices.